Coffee and cigarettes

can often be seen walking down the street, hand in hand. Or sitting in a cafe or a park bench, side by side. Rarely are they separated. Until 1 January 2006 when a new law came into effect, banning smoking in all public places. Including workplaces, restuarantes, shopping centers, cinemas, and even bars (over 100 sq meters). Spaniards responded in typical fashion- with withdrawal symptoms- unsteady hands, panic attacks, and general grumpiness. In the forecast: slight drop in tobacco sales, slight increase in chewing gum production, and a large number of stressed workers walking out on their job just to light up.

This means that for the first time in recent history, the smell of coffee and second hand smoke have been separated. As a non-habitual lighter, I must confess I'm not sorry.

Although I do wonder, whether or not I may have to change my subtitle, as the amount of second hand smoke dwindles around my brew of coffee.